Do titles actually mean anything? Is a principal more important then a CEO or an expert? Is an intern more important then an assistant?
No. In today's interconnected world titles are either for those at the top or those on the bottom. The only difference is experience.
What is experience then? Everyday we are developing technology that is pushing various positions into irrelevance. However, those who are on their game are continuously developing their skill set to adapt to the shifting climate. It's an inability to change and adapt that will lead to a company's failure or success. The same is true with you as an individual.
The only true values that a company should honor? Ideas and execution. Nothing else should matter. This way you avoid politics, experience issues and general nonsense. However, the two can't be that mutually exclusive. Idea people need to be realistic. Execution people need to be open to cool stuff. Bridging that gap successfully is the mark of true success. Simple? Yes, but try and convince me that that is not what business essentially boils down to. (Well that and making mad bank)
So why do we still have titles? To maintain order to some extent. To restrain people within existing power platforms. I don't pay any attention to them. If I want to learn something, receive feedback or otherwise interact with someone about something of importance: I go to who ever I think is best suited to the task. As a consultant I have this advantage and can take full advantage of this. (Thank God)
However, what do you do if you if you don't have the power to always go to the best person? Try. If you are truly serious about what you do you will always at least try to go to the best possible person. Some corporate structures are ill-suited to this kind of free-wheeling open door policy. Tough. This is going to change and it is going to change fast.
A need for instant gratification and extremely high knowledge consumption levels make the Millenial worker an information vacuum. This obviously is not true for all of us.
However, do you want to get better at something? All the information needed to educate yourself on any subject is there and available for the taking. The internet has the power of instant knowledge. We aren't dealing with a how to any more. We are dealing with whys. Learn this basic tenet and be amazed at the change in outlook you see in your own perspective.
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tagged as awesome title, Branding, ceo, consultant, epic title, instant gratification, intern, Marketing, meritocracy, title
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Yea I'd definitely agree. As it becomes increasingly easier to view a person's knowledge, personality, experience and ideas online, the importance of titles is increasingly dwindling. Call someone whatever you want, If they've connected with me, I already know everything I need to know about them.
I have a nice title in my current job, but I don't think that it really makes a difference. I guess it does give some sort of order and structure to the organization, but I don't think that it matters all that much. Things change so quickly on the internet that no matter what you learned last year, it's just not enough. To stay competitive, you must continually increase your knowledge.Adaptation is key.
When companies don't know what they are doing, they think a title means that the person is an expert. It's much easier to just assume that these people know what they are talking about. I agree that a person needs Ideas and Execution. That, plus some good old common sense can go a long way.
To be fair, Stuart, titles do matter in some cases. I filed paperwork earlier this year to do business as a sole proprietorship; and as tax rules dictate, I cannot be a President or CEO, but Principal.
Titles are also important in some industry verticals, or do you want any old tax professional to do your taxes–or a certified professional accountant?
Stuart:
Interesting subject to say the least. You come from a generation where this doesn't matter, nor should it. It's the baby boomers (hate to admit, my generation) that became obsessed with status: title, size of office, public badges of importance. I have tried to eliminate titles in my company but have met with lots of resistance. As someone once said, “A generation has to die.” When that happens we can make the change. In the meantime, the best businesses and companies are meritocracies, and ideally someone with a title has earned it, not had it handed to them. Kudos for a thoughtful post.
More and more when people ask me what I do for a living I try to give them a one sentence summary, rather than starting with my title. Still give the title a lot but last night's #roofup was a perfect case study that actually describing what you do is more effective and interesting than a title.
Titles matter for mediums where space/time is limited, like a business card but otherwise, meh.
Titles to be kind of silly, like an ego game – I meet people who are “Top Executive Something-or-other” and don't seem to know a lot about their industry. I meet people who are “freelancer” or “Student” who kick ass. It just depends on the person.
Titles are very very helpful and do not have to be restrictive. For example, they can be descriptive.
At one point in my career I worked for a company that used no titles. While a seemingly egalitarian move, it was confusing to clients and prospective clients who often didn't know who they should turn to in any specific instance. It helped no one in terms of outside networking (am I dealing with a partner or a junior team member? Does this person have the perspective, knowledge and power to deal with me?)
I personally think it did more damage internally when some of the more junior team members bought into the whole “we're all experienced, senior members of the team” mantra and refused to listen to some of the more err-gray-haired members. I often felt like I had to be parenting at work as well as at home and at work I was dealing with a bunch of over-grown teenagers who already knew it all.
The sad truth of the matter is that some things are learned through personal experience and second-hand knowledge can be second-rate knowledge, especially when one has not spent enough time in the field to have an informed judgment. What do you do when you find conflicting information on line? Who do you believe? If you have personal experience in a matter, you have more of the ability to separate the kooks from the real deal.
Time is a wonderful teacher and we do not spring like Athena from college with fully formed resumes. Titles are one clue we show the rest of the world to help them decide who we are and what we can do — admittedly, just one clue.
Titles are very very helpful and do not have to be restrictive. For example, they can be descriptive.
At one point in my career I worked for a company that used no titles. While a seemingly egalitarian move, it was confusing to clients and prospective clients who often didn't know who they should turn to in any specific instance. It helped no one in terms of outside networking (am I dealing with a partner or a junior team member? Does this person have the perspective, knowledge and power to deal with me?)
I personally think it did more damage internally when some of the more junior team members bought into the whole “we're all experienced, senior members of the team” mantra and refused to listen to some of the more err-gray-haired members. I often felt like I had to be parenting at work as well as at home and at work I was dealing with a bunch of over-grown teenagers who already knew it all.
The sad truth of the matter is that some things are learned through personal experience and second-hand knowledge can be second-rate knowledge, especially when one has not spent enough time in the field to have an informed judgment. What do you do when you find conflicting information on line? Who do you believe? If you have personal experience in a matter, you have more of the ability to separate the kooks from the real deal.
Time is a wonderful teacher and we do not spring like Athena from college with fully formed resumes. Titles are one clue we show the rest of the world to help them decide who we are and what we can do — admittedly, just one clue.
Titles are very very helpful and do not have to be restrictive. For example, they can be descriptive.
At one point in my career I worked for a company that used no titles. While a seemingly egalitarian move, it was confusing to clients and prospective clients who often didn't know who they should turn to in any specific instance. It helped no one in terms of outside networking (am I dealing with a partner or a junior team member? Does this person have the perspective, knowledge and power to deal with me?)
I personally think it did more damage internally when some of the more junior team members bought into the whole “we're all experienced, senior members of the team” mantra and refused to listen to some of the more err-gray-haired members. I often felt like I had to be parenting at work as well as at home and at work I was dealing with a bunch of over-grown teenagers who already knew it all.
The sad truth of the matter is that some things are learned through personal experience and second-hand knowledge can be second-rate knowledge, especially when one has not spent enough time in the field to have an informed judgment. What do you do when you find conflicting information on line? Who do you believe? If you have personal experience in a matter, you have more of the ability to separate the kooks from the real deal.
Time is a wonderful teacher and we do not spring like Athena from college with fully formed resumes. Titles are one clue we show the rest of the world to help them decide who we are and what we can do — admittedly, just one clue.
Titles are very very helpful and do not have to be restrictive. For example, they can be descriptive.
At one point in my career I worked for a company that used no titles. While a seemingly egalitarian move, it was confusing to clients and prospective clients who often didn't know who they should turn to in any specific instance. It helped no one in terms of outside networking (am I dealing with a partner or a junior team member? Does this person have the perspective, knowledge and power to deal with me?)
I personally think it did more damage internally when some of the more junior team members bought into the whole “we're all experienced, senior members of the team” mantra and refused to listen to some of the more err-gray-haired members. I often felt like I had to be parenting at work as well as at home and at work I was dealing with a bunch of over-grown teenagers who already knew it all.
The sad truth of the matter is that some things are learned through personal experience and second-hand knowledge can be second-rate knowledge, especially when one has not spent enough time in the field to have an informed judgment. What do you do when you find conflicting information on line? Who do you believe? If you have personal experience in a matter, you have more of the ability to separate the kooks from the real deal.
Time is a wonderful teacher and we do not spring like Athena from college with fully formed resumes. Titles are one clue we show the rest of the world to help them decide who we are and what we can do — admittedly, just one clue.
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